AUSTRALIAN FORGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16205, 15 April 1916, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN FORGES.

TOTAL NOW 233.699 MEN.

MINISTER READY TO ENLIST.

QUESTION OF COMPULSION,

Melbourne, April 14.

A total of 269,066 officers and men of the Australian Imperial Forces had been embarked for service abroad up to the e:id of March. At that date, the for.es in the various training camps comprised 6-1,633 men.

Mr. D. R. Hall, Attorney-General in the New South Wales Government, states that he offered to enlist, but was told to be content, as he was doing good work here/' Mr. Hall added: "Some people may pot think so."

The Premier of South . Australia, Mr. A. H. Peake, considers that the required number of recruits throughout Australia will not be forthcoming without some form of conscription for eligible single men." He says it is unfair to those who have done their " bit" to be sent back while single men stay behind and enjoy the comforts for which the lads in the trenches are fighting.

CONTROL OF WAR FUNDS.

CENTRALISATION PROPOSED.

••■ Melbourne, April 1.4. -A deputation representing • the Trades Hall Council asked Mr. G. F. Pearce,' Acting-Prime Minister, to place the patriotic funds under Government control. The Minister agreed that it was necessary, and suggested that uniform -legislation should be adopted in the .various States. •